EYE FOR AN EYE

BRÛLE LE SANG

2024 / 108 min / color

Akaki Popkhadze’s debut feature is set in Nice, in the South of France, but it transcends the common perception of the city as a place of sunshine, lovely beaches and clear blue water. The Georgian director takes a look behind this idyllic facade to tell a story about the dark criminal underworld that has taken over the city’s working-class neighborhoods. The conflict between different criminal factions escalates when a Georgian immigrant is murdered, mistaken for a Russian oligarch. He leaves behind two sons: Tristan, who wants to become an Orthodox priest, and Gabriel, who recently returned home after a long absence. Their reunion isn’t just an attempt to bring their family together; it’s mainly about the desire to avenge their father, but the two brothers are guided by completely different moral codes. The film is a gripping thriller, but also a story of loyalty, faith and sense of duty. The brilliant lead performances by Florent Hill and Nicolas Duvauchelle as the Pératzé brothers are unforgettable highlights of Popkhadze’s film.